Centre’s Development Initiatives Accelerated in Jammu Kashmir After Article 370 Abrogation: Athawale | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale on Monday said that development in Jammu and Kashmir has accelerated following the abrogation of Article 370, citing improvements in infrastructure, connectivity and welfare outreach in the Union Territory.

Addressing a press conference at Jammu, Athawale said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, major strides have been made in road and rail connectivity across Jammu and Kashmir, enhancing mobility and boosting economic activity.

He said rail connectivity has expanded with improved facilities, including the introduction of the Vande Bharat Express, while the Ministry of Railways continues to work on strengthening the railway network in the region.

Highlighting welfare measures, the Minister said that as of March 2026, over 24.37 lakh bank accounts have been opened in Jammu and Kashmir under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, with Rs 1,754.25 crore released between 2014 and 2026 to expand financial inclusion.

He said 12.79 lakh LPG connections have been provided under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana to promote access to clean cooking fuel. Under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, 25.09 lakh loans amounting to Rs 54,267.91 crore have been extended to beneficiaries between 2015 and 2026.

Athawale added that 35,000 houses costing Rs 586 crore have been constructed in Jammu and Kashmir under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana from 2016 to 2026.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, the government has provided Rs 3,638 crore between 2018 and 2026, benefiting 19.73 lakh people in the Union Territory. He also said Rs 94 lakh has been released for the construction and support of 13 old-age homes in Jammu and Kashmir between 2023 and 2025.

Speaking on the national economy, Athawale said India has moved from the 10th largest economy to the fourth largest globally, and is expected to soon become the third largest. He attributed this progress to initiatives such as Make in India and continued support to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which he said have strengthened domestic manufacturing and boosted exports.

The Minister also said the government would initiate a caste-based census to better understand the socio-economic conditions of different communities, noting that Scheduled Castes account for approximately 16.6 per cent of the country’s population.

He further said that persons with disabilities in Jammu and Kashmir are now receiving reservation benefits following the abrogation of Article 370, enabling greater access to opportunities.

Responding to questions on international developments, Athawale said fuel supply could be affected by the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran. However, he said the government has adequate fuel stocks and is taking steps to ensure an uninterrupted supply.

(With inputs from Press Information Bureau)